Five photojournalists have been awarded a grant of $10,000 each in this year's round of Getty Images Grants for Editorial Photography which will enable them to continue working on, what are, extraordinary and important stories.

Hugh Pinney, Vice President of News, Getty Images said the winners were photojournalists “working at the cutting edge...ensuring that often ignored global issues are brought to the forefront of public consciousness. The projects selected explore a range of complex and thought-provoking subjects and we are thrilled that, through the Getty Images Editorial Photography Grant, we are able to support such talent as they continue to shed light on some of the most moving and significant moments of our time.”

And the winners are:

Alejandro Cegarra for Living with Hugo Chavez’s Legacy

'In the latter years of Hugo Chavez’s presidency, Venezuela enjoyed an oil-fueled economic boom that made his vision of a more equitable, wealthier and safer society seem almost attainable. But by the time of his death, in 2013, he left his successor an economy in shambles, tenuous political support, and rising violence. Four years on, the country has been plunged back into a state of poverty and conflict, with citizens struggling to afford food and the youth clashing with the security forces on a regular basis. This project seeks to give a voice to the frustrated and disappointed people of Venezuela who feel consistently ignored by those above them." Alejandro Cegarra.

(C) Alejandro Cegarra

Paula Bronstein for The Cost of War

"Following the US-backed military operation against ISIS in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the threat to civilians in the region remains high. The use of mines in the city poses a serious problem for civilians, who are the most common victims of such devices. More worrying still is the revelation that, according to the Mines Advisory group, these mines contain 60 times more explosives than a standard anti-personnel mine, drastically increasing the likelihood of death or severe and permanent injury. This project aims to document the silent victims of a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and left many more maimed." Paula Bronstein.

(C) Paula Bronstein

Antonio Faccilongo for Habibi

"The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are typically portrayed as places ravaged by conflict, however for the citizens of these regions they are also home, a place where they must build a life amidst the turmoil. This project focuses on the phenomena of ‘sperm smuggling’ by Palestinian women, a practice which allows them to conceive children with their husbands who are serving long term sentences in Israeli prisons. Family remains the most important social structure for many Palestinians and for many of these women this is their only hope for a family." Antonio Faccilongo.

(C) Antonio Faccilongo

Barbara Peacock for American Bedroom

"The transformation of the pedestrian into objects of artistic merit has long been one of the aims of photography and it is this tradition that the project seeks to continue. In focusing on the commonplace this project hopes to unveil the idiosyncrasies latent in everyday life. The expansive nature of the project invites us to introspect on the complexity of humankind in the west, particularly in America." Barbara Peacock.

(C) Barbara Peacock

Alessandro Penso for The Deal

"The refugee crisis in Europe has dominated the media over the last few years, with xenophobia and closed mindedness often leading the debate. It is therefore vital that we ask, what are the consequences of such attitudes? This project explores the way in which EU regulation has failed to adequately welcome refugees by depicting the exploitation and long-term displacement faced by many of these already extremely vulnerable people." Alessandro Penso

(C) Alessandro Penso

Since its conception in 2005, Getty Images Editorial Grants program has provided grants in excess of US$1.4 million. Congratulations to the winners!

Award:

Vlad Sokhin wins Visa d'or France Award for the Best Digital News Story

Big shout out and congratulations to Vlad Sokhin for winning this award for his work, Warm Waters. I've interviewed Vlad a few times over the years and he's doing some brilliant work on important topics and drawing global attention.

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A journalist for over 25 years, Alison Stieven-Taylor is currently a features writer for Pro Photo magazine, a contributor to The Australian Weekend Magazine, The Australian Financial Review and the Oceanic correspondent for L’Oeil de la Photographie amongst other titles. Alison is also a lecturer in journalism and holds a Master of Communication and Media Studies (Monash University). She is currently working on her PhD on photojournalism. Alison is also the author of three books including the best-selling biography “Rock Chicks: The Hottest Female Rockers from the1960s to Now”.